Re: Ladybird beetles et al
Andrew Marshall (andrewm@eskimo.com)
Sun, 11 Feb 1996 14:15:28 -0800 (PST)
Hello folks,
I read with amusement Demetrios' experience with the ladybird
beetles and his glutonous Sarracenia. I to had similar experience way
back when releasing 25,000 of them into my Sarracenia enclosure. Very
few made it out alive and no aphids were consumed either. I have notice
that the ladybirds out in the open also fall prey to the Sarracenia. I
am in the habit of raiding the traps of my Sarracenia for the moths they
often lure in to feed to my lizards. I frequently am finding the beetles
in the traps in quantity, especially in the spring. It is something to
consider when planning live insect control methods around cp. Even the
beneficial insects are potential food that is not refused just because it
could be of other service.
Also, I have yet to read a clear answer in the debate over tmv in
tobacco based sprays. Can the virus be killed by boiling the tobacco
product to be used for the spray base?
And to further throw light on whether or not cp can catch tmv or
other viruses, I say yes the can. I have a N. maxima that is stricken
with some sort of virus. It hasn't spread to other plants but does show
up in the older leaves as soon as the reach full development. I do not
know what virus it is or how to tell. I have not used tobacco or tomato
based products on the collection. I think it was contracted from a
Sarracenia that was stricken a few years ago. I was not in the habit of
cleaning my tools back then. Didn't know why I should. I do not
propagate the Nepenthes normally, and the Sarracenia is destroyed. I
simply prune and compost the excess growth. I saved the tip this year
and am trying to see if it will grow out Virus free? any ideas?
Good Growing
Andrew